The school board heard about 45 minutes of emotional public comments about the issue. But before the speaking began, Jean Blanton, an attorney for the school board, said the school board has “no basis” legally to remove its library board appointees before their terms expire.

Blanton said Indiana statue spells out “very specific grounds for removal of an office holder, an appointee, and we don’t believe any of those have been met in this situation.”

Blanton received some backup from Charles Berger, an Evansville attorney who spoke during the public comment period. Berger said the school board should follow its legal advice.

“In this community, government should in no way participate in the restriction of speech in your actions and your policies,” Berger said, drawing applause from Drag Queen Story Hour supporters.

The school board's three library board appointees are board president Bix Branson, Velinda Stubbs and Tim Wilhelmus. The other four appointments are split between the Vanderburgh County Commissioners and Vanderburgh County Council.

How supporters and foes voiced their opinion

Speakers for and against Drag Queen Story Hour mobilized their forces prior to Monday’s school board meeting at the EVSC administrative office on Walnut Street.

Those against the program conducted a pep rally of sorts outside the meeting room about an hour before the 5:30 start time. Then they filled many of the room’s seats. A group supporting the program arrived a bit later and stood in an aisle and outside the room.

Steve Ary, a local pastor and blogger, said, “We are not here to reject the LGBT community in any way, shape or form. We are here to reject the program (Drag Queen Story Hour).”

Another pastor, Wayne Harris, said young children “lack the maturity to independently process what is being presented” at an event featuring drag queens.

Harris told the school board he also objects to those who normalize “the LGBT lifestyle.”

Mary Ellen Van Dyke, executive director of Right to Life of Southwest Indiana, called for the school board "protect innocent little children from the desires of adult men," and she cited a study which she said calls transgenderism "a mental illness."

Those in support of Drag Queen Story Hour spoke about high rates of suicide and homelessness among LGBT youth, and events of this type provide a sense of acceptance.

"This is 2019,” Jennifer Willett said. “The time for hatred and intolerance is over. Even here. We live in the United States. We have promises of freedom and opportunity we have yet to live up to … I challenge you to protect us from voices that would divide us because of fear and orthodoxy."

“I’m proud of this city for opening its mind to something like Drag Queen Story Hour,” added Ashley Riester. “I’m proud of this city for opening its mind to the LGBT community. Some in this room might think opposing this is not fighting against the LGBT community. But not allowing someone else to do something that bothers you is definitely fighting a community.”

Library board to meet

The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Board of Trustees meeting previously scheduled Feb. 14 has been moved to meeting to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Central Library, 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.